6th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment

The 6th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment was a Union Army regiment which was active from 25 May 1861 to 25 June 1863. It was made up primarily of Bowery toughs such as gang members, ex-cons, and criminals, and it was rumored that a man had to have served time in jail before being allowed to join the regiment. It was nicknamed Wilson's Zouaves after their general William Wilson, and they fought in Florida and Louisiana until they were mustered out in 1863.